Making points and explanations in a debate

English

Justifying an opinion

Giving proof and summarising an argument

Learning the roles in a debate and making a rebuttal

Making and responding to points of information

Preparing for a debate

Writing notes to support delivering a speech in a debate

Judging and scoring a debate

In ‘Introduction to Debate’, the pupils learn to justify their opinions with reasoning. In the Year 5 unit ‘Persuasive letter writing’, the pupils will build on this by using their justification skills to make a persuasive argument. 

In ‘Speeches’, pupils learned how to articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions, using a set structure to support them.  In this unit, they will build on that skill by learning how to prepare and participate in debates.

In this unit, pupils develop their understanding of debating conventions, including justifying, making points, giving proof, summarising, responding, judging and scoring a debate. Pupils learn how best to prepare for a debate and how to write notes to deliver a speech during a debate.

Introduction to debate

Using a structure helps an argument flow.

Using a structure makes it easier for an audience to follow.

Using a structure helps an audience to hear the speaker. 

Using a structure helps the speaker to manage their time. 

Using a structure helps a speaker to make eye-contact with the audience. 

Which **three** of these are reasons why is it important to follow a structure when making a speech in a debate?

Starting with the first, order these parts of the PEPS structure.

What might happen if a speaker did not follow a structure when making their speech?

to tell the audience what the speaker thinks or believes

to give reasons to help the audience understand a point

What is the purpose of the **explanation** part of the PEPS structure? 

An opinion must be justified in a debate with which of these?

... the audience can hear every word the speaker says.

... you can gain extra points by being the loudest speaker.

It is important to speak clearly and loudly in a debate so ...

explaining why a person has a certain opinion

Starter Quiz

What is a debate?